Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 104, March 2018 | Page 46

ADVERTORIAL
Great Races to Put in Your Diary
Modern Athlete is partnered with a number of terrific events each year, including these great road
races in early 2018. Get your entries in, put them in your diaries, and we’ll see you there! More info
at www.modernathlete.co.za/events.
BRING THE
FAMILY!
PHARMATON EDENVALE MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, 10KM & 4KM
When: Sunday 11 March
Where: Edenvale High School, Linksfield Road, Edenvale, Central Gauteng
T
his popular event consists of marathon, half marathon and 10km races along
with a 4km fun run, so it offers something for every level of athlete, with market
stalls to entertain everybody and really make it a family-friendly event. Also, this
year the proceeds of the fun run will once again be donated to the Kidneybeanz Trust,
a non-profit organisation supporting children with life-threatening kidney disease, and
their families.
The marathon runners will do two laps of the undulating 21km course, which starts with
an easy downhill section for much of the first 6km, then hits a short, sharp hill. Between
the 6km and 11km markers there are three small bumps, preparing the runners to climb
to the highest point at the 14km mark. From there it’s pleasantly downhill to 16km,
followed by another 2km gentle pull, and then a most rewarding downhill finish.
MODERN ATHLETE IRENE ULTRA-MARATHON, HALF-MARATHON, 10KM & 5KM
When: Sunday 8 April
Where: Agricultural Research Council, Irene Campus, Pretoria, Gauteng North
T
he distance of 48km may sound a bit unusual – further than a standard 42.2km marathon, but
not quite all the way to the standard ultra distance of 50km – but that’s what makes this race
the ultimate Comrades qualifier. You see, because it falls into the 48-50km qualifying bracket
for Comrades, you effectively have 2km free. In other words, your 48km time will count for a 50km
qualifier, so you could potentially qualify for a higher seeding, or finally nab that elusive qualifier. Also,
thanks to the ChampionChip timing system, both your marathon and finish times will be recorded and
the best one will be automatically submitted to the Comrades Marathon entries database.
THE
ULTIMATE
QUALIFIER
The ultra and half marathon routes through Irene’s suburbs are not too tough, so fast times
are possible, and there is also a 5km fun run that takes place on the Irene ARC campus,
making it safe for younger runners. Meanwhile, a big picnic area, enclosed kiddies’
entertainment area with supervision, exhibitions and food stalls will keep the non-runners
busy while they wait for their loved ones to return.
When: Sunday 22 April
Where: Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, Johannesburg,
Central Gauteng
T
his is one you should definitely clear your diary for, because it starts and finishes
at the sprawling, invitingly scenic gardens of the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo
Conference Centre. As a result, many runners make this event an annual family
tradition, taking advantage of the children’s play area, food and refreshments on sale,
post-race massage zone and live music on the manicured lawns of the hotel for the
perfect setting for a post-run picnic!
The aim of the event is to promote health and exercise combined with fun, for a healthy family
lifestyle, but take note that entries for the 21km and 10km races are limited to 2500 entries,
with a further 500 runners/walkers in the 5km race, so don’t wait too long to enter. The race will
be timed using the ChampionChip system, ensuring accurate results and digital monitoring.
46
ISSUE 104 MARCH 2018 / www.modernathlete.co.za
GOOD, BETTER,
BIRCHWOOD
BIRCHWOOD CROSS THE LINE HALF MARATHON, 10KM & 5KM